GolfWRX has assembled an expert panel to help you determine which driver is the best for your game.
The driving experience continues to be one of maximising distance and minimising the penalties for common missteps. Engineers are now able to offer the most diverse performance characteristics in the metalwood age, as discretionary weight is at an all time high within the driver.
It is important to have a custom fit to ensure you get the most out of every swing. We believe that working with a professional fitting service using a launch monitor is the best way to achieve your best driver.
It’s difficult because many golfers don’t have easy access launch monitors, fitters, or club builders. So at GolfWRX we not only break down the best options across three swing speeds but also present the most forgiveness-oriented drivers for those who prefer forgiveness above all ( meet our matchmakers ).
The 2023 most forgiving driver
Ping G430 Max
Ping engineers designed the face with a thinner and shallower VFT-forged design to increase speed and distance. However, this did not diminish an important element that Ping drivers are known for: forgiveness. G430 Max can be customized with lighter headweights for slower-swinging golfers. G430 Max is the best choice for the largest segment of the fitting bell curve. It features a 25-gram, high density tungsten moveable weight (+-8 yards shot shaping).
Fitter notes
- This is a great choice for mishits if you are looking for a more forgiving driver with a lower back CG.
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Stable head that hits the mark straight.
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It’s Ping. We know what it means for a fitter: It goes straight!
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A leader in forgiveness and adjustability.
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This is hands down the most tolerant driver on the market. Off-center hits don’t move offline as much. This driver can accommodate many handicaps.
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When it comes to forgiveness and dispersion, Ping is still at the forefront. When finding the fairway is an issue, this option will be the first to be considered.
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The G430 Max is very similar to the G425 Max. Adjustable weights can have a significant impact on curvature because they move CG a lot. The sweet spot was slightly larger than the g425 maximum, which I did not think was possible.
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It’s ping; they are one of the most forgiving drivers on the market.
Callaway Paradym
Callaway’s Paradym driver, Callaway (360deg Carbon Chassis), has a body almost entirely made of carbon fiber. According to the company, engineers were able to eliminate titanium from the club’s body to allow them to distribute weight in a way that “breaks down the tradeoff between incredible distances and exceptional forgiveness.” Paradym is the best-fitting bell curve segment, thanks to its high MOI and adjustable perimeterweighting. Paradym is a high-launch, low-spin, neutral ball flight driver.
Fitter notes
- Fast, forgiving, and most importantly, accurate These drivers are making me smile! This driver’s tech has made mishits nearly as good as the great shots! There have never been better misses.
- We are seeing that the adjustable-weight can certainly reduce ball curvature.
- Amazingly, they are incredibly patient with mishits.
- Callaway and this driver have been talking about down range dispersion for some time. Straight and long won’t get your into trouble. Mishits are more common for players who miss the center.
- Mishits are still available and do not incur penalty strokes. With their entire Paradym line-up, Callaway has won this year. This generation is much easier to target than the previous ones.
- Callaway’s Paradym is his straightest ever driver. It’s almost impossible to see mishits fly straight every time it is tested. There is not a lot D-plane curvature, so left shots don’t continue to curve right and right shots don’t continue to curve left. In many fittings that I have done, dispersion was reduced by 10-20%.
Titleist TSR2
TSR is the next generation in the Titleist Speed Project. It began with the TS series more than six decades ago and was continued with TSi models until 2020. The TSR line includes three models, and seeding began in June. TSR2 is a low-launch, high-spin “max” driver. It balances speed and stability, which is ideal for players who make contact with the face.
Fitter notes
- A solid, forgiving driver that can be used by a broad range of players who require a combination of an easy driver and a high-spin driver.
- This driver is very forgiving and has a lot of adjustability to help the players.
- Excellent adjustability in all directions and great forgiving.
- Combining ball speed, a high trajectory and long distance down to the fairway. This driver is not as curve-oriented as other models, as he doesn’t hit the ball as hard as some players.
- Driver performs flawlessly in all aspects. Although the driver is extremely straight, he will not be the best choice for slicers or faders. If you are looking to make it straighter and avoid big draws, TSR2 might be the right option for you.
- This driver is the straightest in Titleist’s lineup.
TaylorMade Stealth 2
TaylorMade Stealth 2 engineers have brought carbon to more members of the club, and unveiled a new Carbon Twist Face. Stealth 2 is a mid launch, mid-spin driver designed for the largest segment of the fitting bell curve. To dial in spin and launch, it features a 25-gram TaylorMade Swingweight System weight that is made of tungsten.
Check out our launch article for the complete technology breakdown.
Fitter notes
- Twist Face lowers the penalty for off-center strikes
- Twist Face is a great tool for average players to get closer to the mishit target.
- Twist Face seems to work. Many heel shots are quite impressive, as I have seen. Although Stealth 2 is not as skilled at the toe shots than other drivers, my average player misses more toe than heel.
- Great performer all around. The Shape of the Stealth 2 is cleaner and people notice a greater confidence at their address almost immediately. Stealth 2 Plus has more forgiveness than Stealth 2. However, you won’t notice a significant increase in spin. Stealth 2 Plus is the best all-around performer for those who need some help with mishits, but also need to be aware of launch conditions.
Callaway Paradym X
Callaway’s Paradym driver, Callaway (360deg Carbon Chassis), has a body almost entirely made of carbon fiber. According to the company, engineers were able to eliminate titanium from the body to allow them to distribute weight in a way that “breaks down the tradeoff between incredible distances and exceptional forgiveness.” ParadymX is a high-MOI, draw-biased driver. It has a higher profile and is the most accommodating driver in the lineup.
Fitter notes
- Although it has a draw bias, it doesn’t appear hooded, closed, or any other disguise. It is very easy to put together. I think that’s a better description. Paradym is more flexible and spins faster than Paradym. You can’t tell the difference between Paradym and Paradym when you place them on the ground. However, Paradym is much easier to square up. This one was a complete success for Callaway.
- CG at the back of the club makes it easy to hit shots across the face.
- Callaway is the most patient driver. Callaway’s most forgiving driver, with a slight draw bias, will give the player great forgiveness and all the distance.
- They face off-center hits with a higher MOI.
- This club is great for players with slower speeds who want to keep the ball in play.
It’s now your turn. Everyone swings the club differently and everyone has their own experience with a driver. We would love to hear your thoughts. Please let us know what driver you are using in the discussion thread below. What were you able to switch from? Which performance gains have you seen in your own game and why?
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